Australian War Memorial WW1 Aircraft Display

talespinner · 22 February 2009, 11:50 PM

I have just visited the Australian War Memorial WW1 Aircraft Display in Canberra, Australia, and was blown away by it. Especially the 10 min film by Peter Jackson about aircraft dogfighting over the trenches in WW1. This was especially shot to be shown on the 10 meter by 3 meter curved screen, so you feel you are in the cockpit, stick & rudder flying with them. The close-ups are incredible.
I watched it 5 times!
If anyone is able to visit the War Memorial in Canberra, Australia, you will find it well worth while.

Talespinner

talespinner · 22 February 2009, 11:55 PM

I forgot to add that the Aircraft on display are:
three allied aircraft (SE5a fighter, Arvo 504K trainer, Airco DH9
bomber) and two rare German fighter planes (Albatros D.Va and Pfalz D.XII).

Talespinner.

FliegerJG1 · 23 February 2009, 08:17 AM

Thank you for sharing this information! I can imagine that if they had a cockpit mock up that one could sit in while watching the video, that might add even more to the realism of the film display. Nice that you could visit and enjoy the display to report back to us!

talespinner · 23 February 2009, 01:58 PM

They would need a large cockpit!
During the 5 times I watched the film, there would have been at minimum 15 people and at maximum about 60! They were bringing in folding chairs to seat them all.
One old fellow sitting next to me was moving his hands in time with the aircraft. I spoke to him after the show and found out he was an ex RAAF Mosquito pilot and was 'stick & rudder' flying with the film. It really took him back.

FliegerJG1 · 23 February 2009, 02:08 PM

Amazing....that is SO great to hear that the old Mosquito pilot was able to enjoy the movie as he did by virtually stick & rudder flying his plane. Too bad that we don't have something like that here in the US.